What should my child do if they find a wallet or phone with no one around? 

Parenting Perspective 

When a child finds a wallet or a phone with no one watching, it becomes one of the most powerful real-life tests of their conscience. This is a moment where honesty moves from being an idea to being an action. Your role is to help your child see the found item not as a ‘lucky find’, but as a trust that must be returned to its rightful owner. 

Frame It as a Test of Character, Not Luck 

Begin the conversation with empathy and calm reasoning. You could say, ‘Finding something valuable is not a reward; it is a responsibility that Allah gives you to see how trustworthy you can be.’ Focus on how noble it is to do the right thing when no one is watching. Children are often more inspired by a call to honour than by a warning against wrongdoing. 

Teach the ‘Find, Protect, Report’ Rule 

Give your child a clear and simple plan that they can recall instantly if they are ever in this situation. 

• Find: If they are in a public area with adults nearby, they should not pick the item up. Instead, they should immediately call over a trusted grown-up or a member of staff. 

• Protect: If there is genuinely no one around and it is safe to do so, they can pick up the item and keep it somewhere secure. They should not open it or look through private information like messages or cards. 

• Report: They must tell a trusted adult immediately—a teacher, a security guard, or a parent—and describe exactly where the item was found so that it can be returned through official means. 

Rehearse this rule with them through role-play to help it become an instinctive response. 

Explain Why ‘Keeping It’ Is Never Justified 

Children can sometimes rationalise keeping a found item by thinking, ‘No one saw me,’ or ‘The owner will never come back for it.’ Teach them that morality is not about who is watching, but about the person you choose to be. You can say, ‘We return things not because we might get caught, but because we are all answerable to Allah.’ 

Celebrate Integrity, Not Reward 

If your child reports or returns a lost item, praise their choice, not the outcome. Say, ‘I am so proud of how honest you were,’ rather than, ‘I am glad the person gave you a reward.’ If the owner does offer a gift, teach them to be grateful, but remind them that the real reward comes from Allah. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islamic teaching places immense importance on returning lost property and guarding the rights of others. Finding something of value is not a moment of personal gain, but a moment of trust. Teaching this helps a child to connect their honesty to both their faith and their personal dignity. 

The Trust of What You Find 

The Quran reminds us that any trust (amanah) we are given is sacred and must be honoured. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Baqarah (2), Verse 283: 

‘…And if some of you have trust with each other, then let that person discharge what is interested to him (faithfully), and let him be concerned about (the judgement of) Allah (Almighty) his Sustainer…’ 

This verse teaches that we must be faithful in all our trusts. You can tell your child, ‘When you find a wallet or a phone, it is as if Allah is saying, “Can I trust you with this?” Returning it faithfully is your answer to Him.’ 

Returning the Trust of Others 

The teachings of our Prophet ﷺ provide clear guidance on the procedure for dealing with lost property. 

It is recorded in Mishkaat Al Masaabih, Hadith 3033, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘Whoever finds lost property must make it known publicly for a year. If its owner is found, it is to be returned to him; otherwise, it belongs to the finder.’ 

You can explain to your child that this hadith teaches two key things: first, we must make a sincere effort to find the owner, and second, we must never claim ownership of something without having first made that effort. In modern terms, this means giving the item to a lost-and-found service, the police, or a parent who can handle it responsibly. 

Encourage your child to make a small dua after returning a lost item: ‘O Allah, please make me worthy of Your trust and always truthful in my actions.’ Over time, they will come to see honesty not as a burden, but as an honour.